What are the differences and similarities between Japan and South Korea? That is a question I asked myself too many times. Now, since I know everything better about these two amazing countries, I am going to tell you plenty of similarities and some very big differences between South Korea and Japan!

Both Japan and South Korea have many traits in common.

Firstly, their food culture is very similar. They both use chopsticks during breakfast, lunch or dinner. Eat their staple food: rice and soup, and most importantly they eat quietly. It is their part of traditional food culture.

Secondly, they share some big similarities in their language, especially grammar structure. Koreans have 14 consonants and 21 vowels, however Japan has three different writing systems. Nevertheless, if Koreans wants to learn Japanese language, it is easy to learn it for them, because of the grammar similarities they have.Typically, Koreans and Japanese people are very hardworking. It is normal for them to work 6 days a week, without getting paid extra! But after work, they instantly become party animals.Now about rush hours. Big cities like Tokyo or Seoul are basically very crowded, so during rush hours be prepared to be sandwiched between people and be bumped or hit without apologies. They simply don’t have the energy to apologize.

However, there are plenty of differences between these two countries.

Both countries have very strong work ethics, however Koreans are slightly different. They are more “American Style” on how they think and speak. They are quicker to offer their opinions and are more likely to tell you something directly and forwardly and be less concerned with what everyone thinks about them.But people in Japan are fairer. If you lose your wallet in Japan, people would pass it to the police officer and you’ll get it back, but in Korea… Maybe you’ll get your wallet back, but not money.

About sense of style. People in Korea seem to fall in love with the same thing every time. When there’s something in style, everyone follows it. But in Japan everyone seem to have their own style. They tend to like and wear “kawaii” or cute related things.

Also Japanese animation, (also known as anime) is a very popular form of animations in Japan, which is quickly spreading all around the world. But not only animation is popular. South Koreans have a music style called K-pop. This music industry gets bigger and bigger everyday, leaving Japanese J-pop behind. In one word, Japanese have luck in animation industry, while South Korea– in music.

Japan and South Korea are wonderful countries, full of entertainment and energy. Their culture is interesting and engaging for people all around the globe.

Personally I like Japan for their entertainment and South Korea for their fashion style. And as I said, both, South Korea and Japan are amazing countries to visit and travel around!

😉Are you able to answer these questions? 😈

1. Why people don’t apologize to you, if they hit or bump into you?

2. Are “kawaii” and cute related things big in South Korea?

3. Does Japan have a luck in music industry?

4. If you lose something in one of these countries, would you get it back?

5. Why people in Japan and South Korea use chopsticks and eat quietly?

19 thoughts on “Japan and South Korea: The Differences and Similarities. By Julija Minauskaitė 8B”

don’t forget from japan rise karate.You shud more interestid about japan history, because of that japam are famaus and all who sport karate and semo peolpe who not sport karate now.but later and karate go to china or something like that:).But presetantion are very gud and interesting.10\10:)

Good job Viliau, you got 9/10 right! You are wrong about the eating part. Not only Japanese people eat quietly, but South Koreans do too! They also use chopsticks, (and eat quietly!) because it is their part of traditional food culture. Well done!

Hello, Jone! Let’s talk about your second answer. You’re not right, because “kawaii” and cute things are not big in South Korea. They seem to follow everything what’s in style. But hey, you still got 9/10 right! Good job! 🙂

Good job, Julija! You got 10/10 , but Koreans Japanese people use chopsticks and eat quietly, because it is their part of traditional food culture, but you still were right about eating part! Well done!